Origins of Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism was a relgion that emerged in Persia founded by Zoroaster that resulted in a change in the people’s view of god. Previously, the Persians had worshipped natural resources and animals were sacrificed by priests called Magi. Historians traditionally date the time of Zoroaster as 628-551 B.C. Zoroaster lived in easter Iran and began to preach at age 30 after seven years of meditation in the mountains. Zoroaster underwent a profound relgious expeirence that made him a prophet of Ahura Mazda, the god of the physical and moral world. Zoroastrianism was the first religious to have an adversary, and this adversary was Ahriman, a fallen angel. During the next 10 years, Zoroaster continued to preach his teachings, but the results were slow and not encouraging. Zoroaster was also visited by Ahriman who tempted him to abandon his cause. At 40, Zoroaster tried to convert the Persian king, but the king’s priests and supports imprisoned him for 2 years. Zoroaster, however, saved the king’s treasured horse and earned him the ear of the king. AS a result, Zoroaster was able to convert the king, his household, and the entire royal court. For the next 20 years, Zoroaster continued to spread his teachings until he was martyred at age 77. Zoroastrianism was a dualistic relgioius with conflict in all things – light versus darkness, good versus evil. Individuals with their own free will would choose their own paths. Zoroaster also taught ideas such as the coming of the Messiah, the Resurrection, Redemption, and Judgement Day. He influenced not only the Persians, but other cultures as well. Aristotle’s Metaphysics was said to have been influenced Zoroaster. Plato was said to be a follower of Zoroaster. The mont notifiable influence is Maneichism, which claimed that material goods were evil and promoted celibacy and fasting. Zoroastrianism is believed to have influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zoroastrianism remained t…